Single-tracking brings significant delays on Metro’s Blue, Orange lines

To ease train congestion, Silver Line trains are running only between the Wiehle-Reston East and Ballston stations in Virginia, and not continuing toward Washington. Silver Line riders from west of Ballston had to get off at, or before, Ballston and switch to Orange Line trains.

Downtown, Orange and Blue line trains are still single tracking between the Foggy Bottom and Smithsonian stations. Moreover, Virginia-bound trains on the two lines were bypassing the McPherson Square and Farragut West stations. The fire broke out between those two stations, and crews were continuing to make repairs in the tunnel throughout the morning.

Updated at 9:56 a.m.

Single-tracking continues between the Smithsonian and Foggy Bottom stations on the Orange and Blue Lines, while Silver Line trains are operating only between Wiehle-Reston East and Ballston.

Updated at 7:40 a.m.

The smoke is long cleared from a cable that burned in a tunnel near the McPherson Square station early Monday, but the repairs will cause delays throughout the morning commute. The Blue and Orange lines are single tracking between the Smithsonian and Foggy Bottom stops. Those who use the Silver Line will have to get off at the Ballston stop and transfer to a Blue or Orange line train.

“Without question this will effect the entire morning rush hour,” Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said.

In all, delays of 30 to 60 minutes can be expected.

Stessel said there is damage to some of the equipment that officials are working to repair. There were no trains in the area at the time of the incident.

Updated at 6:51 a.m.

Metro Transit Police said in a Twitter message that they are “clearing residual smoke from an earlier burning cable” in a tunnel near the McPherson Square stop. There were no reported injuries. But the problem is causing major delays of up to an hour on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines.

Metro was changing its train service throughout the morning hours.

The transit agency said just before 7 a.m. that the westbound trains on the Blue and Orange lines were skipping the Smithsonian and Federal Triangle stops to “reduce delays.”

Metro was providing shuttle bus service as well.

Riders shared —

Updated at 6:45 a.m.

Riders should expect significant delays of up to one hour to Metro’s downtown stops because of fire activity at McPherson Square. Metro is warning there are major delays on  the Blue, Orange and Silver lines. There was no service between the Foggy Bottom and Federal Center SW stops. But Metro said it is gradually restoring some of that service.

Watch Metro’s Twitter alerts for details, as they are changing fast.

Eighteen shuttle buses are on the scene to provide service, Metro said. But it is not clear when the problem will be resolved and Metro said trains are likely to have to share a track.

Original post at 6:00 a.m.

Metro said riders should expect “significant delays” Monday morning into downtown because of fire activity on one of its tracks near the McPherson Square stop. The problem is affecting the Blue, Orange and Silver lines. There is no rail service between the Foggy Bottom and Federal Center SW stops. Avoid Metro this morning.

There were few immediate details as to what caused the fire department acticity. And there were no immediate details on how long the delays would last. Shuttle bus service is being provided. Riders on Metro are advised to allow extra time.